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Spanish Bar Cake: A Classic Recipe Worth Rediscovering

Spanish Bar Cake

A moist, lightly spiced raisin cake inspired by the classic A&P bakery version, finished with a smooth cream-cheese frosting. Simmering the raisins first gives the cake its signature tenderness and rich flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 1 cup Raisins
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter or vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 Large eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Frosting
  • 1/4 cup Unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 ounces Cream cheese, softened
  • 1 1/2-2 cups Confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tablespoons Milk, as needed

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Combine the raisins and water in a saucepan. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until the raisins are plump and the water is richly flavored.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter or shortening while the raisin mixture is hot. Let it cool until warm rather than hot.
  4. Beat the sugar and eggs into the warm raisin mixture until evenly blended.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the raisin mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the center springs back lightly and a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool the cake completely in the pan for at least 30 minutes before frosting.
  10. Beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, thinning with milk as needed, then spread the frosting over the cooled cake and cut into bars.

Notes

For the best texture, cool the raisin mixture before adding the eggs. The frosted cake can be refrigerated briefly before slicing for cleaner bars. Chopped walnuts or pecans may be added, although they are not part of the most common plain A&P-style version.